Scanning optical system

ABSTRACT

A scanning optical system has a light source for emitting a light beam; a condenser lens for changing the light beam from the light source to a parallel light beam; a connection holding member for supporting the light source and the condenser lens; a deflector for deflecting an approximately parallel light beam transmitted from the condenser lens at an equiangular velocity; and a lens for optical scanning for scanning a scanned face at an approximately equal speed while converging the light beam deflected by the deflector and forming an image in the shape of a spot on the scanned face, the lens for optical scanning being formed by a plastic material for optics. This scanning optical system is constructed such that a coefficient of linear expansion of the connection holding member, a focal length of the condenser lens, a focal length, a refractive index and a coefficient of linear expansion of the lens for optical scanning, and a change in refractive index of the lens for optical scanning with respect to the change in environmental temperature satisfy a predetermined condition. Another condition using other parameters with respect to the lens optical system may be set.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 07/784,136, filed on Oct. 29,1991, U.S. Pat. No. 5,155,616, which is a continuation of Ser. No.07/553,644, filed Jul. 18, 1990, abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a scanning optical system most suitablefor a writing optical system in a laser printer, a digital copyingmachine, a facsimile, etc. in which a scanned face is scanned by a lightbeam from a semiconductor laser or a light-emitting diode as a lightsource, and an optical system in a reading device, a laser display, alaser measuring device, etc.

2. Description of the Related Art

In a recorder such as a laser printer, a scanning optical system is usedto write information to a suitable recording medium.

In the scanning optical system, when an fθ lens constituting a lens foroptical scanning is made of plastic, the changes in shape, refractiveindex, etc. of this lens are caused by the change in environment,especially, the change in temperature. Therefore, the position of aformed image point in the vicinity of the scanned face is changed sothat it is difficult to stably provide the uniform diameter of a beamspot on the scanned face.

In lens correction methods shown in Japanese Patent Application LayingOpen (KOKAI) Nos. 63-7530 and 61-150394, the problems about the changein focal length of the fθ lens caused by the change in environmentaltemperature are still not solved. Therefore, it is desirable to providean optical scanning system for generally solving the above-mentionedproblems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a first object of the present invention to provide ascanning optical system in which a light beam from a light source ischanged to a parallel beam by a condenser lens and a scanning operationis performed at an approximately equal speed with respect to the lightbeam deflected by a deflector at an equal angular velocity so as toreduce an influence of the fθ lens caused by the change in environmentthereof, especially, the change in temperature thereof.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a scanningoptical system for generally reducing extremely the change in focallength of the fθ lens and the change in distance between the lightsource and the condenser lens caused by the change in environmentaltemperature, and the change in position of the formed image point causedby the shift in emission wavelength of the light source so that the fθlens made of plastic can be practically used and the scanning opticalsystem is cheaply manufactured and withstands the change inenvironmental temperature and has a high performance.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a scanning opticalsystem for canceling the change in focal length of the fθ lens as a lensfor optical scanning and the change in distance between the light sourceand the condenser lens caused by the change in environmental temperatureto extremely reduce an influence of the optical system caused by thechange in temperature so that the fθ lens made of plastic can bepractically used and the scanning optical system is cheaply manufacturedand withstands the change in environmental temperature and has a highperformance.

In a first embodiment of the present invention, the above first objectcan be achieved by a scanning optical system comprising a light sourcefor emitting a light beam; a condenser lens for changing the light beamfrom the light source to a parallel light beam; a connection holdingmember for supporting the light source and the condenser lens; adeflector for deflecting the approximately parallel light beamtransmitted from the condenser lens at an equiangular velocity; and alens for optical scanning for scanning a scanned face at anapproximately equal speed while converging the light beam deflected bythe deflector and forming an image in the shape of a spot on the scannedface, the lens for optical scanning being formed by a plastic materialfor optics. This scanning optical system is constructed such that acoefficient α of linear expansion of the connection holding member, afocal length f₁ of the condenser lens, a focal length f₂, a refractiveindex n and a coefficient α' of linear expansion of the lens for opticalscanning, and a change dn/dT in refractive index of the lens for opticalscanning with respect to the change in environmental temperature satisfythe following condition. ##EQU1##

In a second embodiment of the present invention, the above second objectcan be achieved by a scanning optical system comprising a light sourcefor emitting a light beam; a condenser lens for changing the light beamfrom the light source to an approximately parallel light beam; aconnection holding member for supporting the light source and thecondenser lens; a deflector for deflecting the approximately parallellight beam transmitted from the condenser lens at an equiangularvelocity; and a lens for optical scanning for scanning a scanned face atan approximately equal speed while converging the light beam deflectedby the deflector and forming an image in the shape of a spot on thescanned face, the lens for optical scanning being formed by a plasticmaterial for optics. This scanning optical system is constructed suchthat a coefficient α of linear expansion of the connection holdingmember, a focal length f₁ of the condenser lens, chromatic aberrationdf₁ /dλ of the condenser lens on an optical axis thereof, a focal lengthf₂, a refractive index n and a coefficient α' of linear expansion of thelens for optical scanning, a change dn/dT in refractive index of thelens for optical scanning with respect to the change in environmentaltemperature, and a shift dλ/dT in wavelength of the light beam emittedfrom the light source with respect to the change in temperature satisfythe following condition. ##EQU2##

In a third embodiment of the present invention, the above third objectcan be achieved by a scanning optical system comprising a light sourcefor emitting a light beam; a condenser lens for changing the light beamfrom the light source to a convergent light beam; a connection holdingmember for supporting the light source and the condenser lens; adeflector for deflecting the convergent light beam transmitted from thecondenser lens at an equiangular velocity; and a single lens for opticalscanning for scanning a scanned face at an approximately equal speedwhile further converging the convergent light beam deflected by thedeflector and forming an image in the shape of a spot on the scannedface, the lens for optical scanning being formed by a plastic materialfor optics. This scanning optical system is constructed such that acoefficient α of linear expansion of the connection holding member, afocal length f₁ and a lateral magnification β₁ of the condenser lens, afocal length f₂, a refractive index n and a coefficient α' of linearexpansion of the lens for optical scanning, a change dn/dT in refractiveindex of the lens for optical scanning with respect to the change inenvironmental temperature, and a lateral magnification β₂ of the lensfor optical scanning satisfy the following condition. ##EQU3##

In a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the above second objectcan be achieved by a scanning optical system comprising a light sourcefor emitting a light beam; a condenser lens for changing the light beamfrom the light source to a convergent light beam; a connection holdingmember for supporting the light source and the condenser lens; adeflector for deflecting the convergent light beam transmitted from thecondenser lens at an equiangular velocity; and a single lens for opticalscanning for scanning a scanned face at an approximately equal speedwhile further converging the convergent light beam deflected by thedeflector and forming an image in the shape of a spot on the scannedface, the lens for optical scanning being formed by a plastic materialfor optics. This scanning optical system is constructed such that ashift dλ/dT in wavelength of the light beam emitted from the lightsource with respect to the change in environment, a coefficient α oflinear expansion of the connection holding member, a focal length f₁ anda lateral magnification β₁ of the condenser lens, chromatic aberrationdf₁ /dλ of the condenser lens on an optical axis thereof, a focal lengthf₂, a refractive index n and a coefficient α' of linear expansion of thelens for optical scanning, a change dn/dT in refractive index of thelens for optical scanning with respect to the change in environmentaltemperature, and a lateral magnification β₂ of the lens for opticalscanning satisfy the following condition. ##EQU4##

In the above-mentioned scanning optical system in the first embodimentof the present invention, the connection holding member supports thelight source for emitting the light beam and the condenser lens forchanging the light beam from this light source to the parallel lightbeam. The material of the connection holding member and the plasticmaterial for optics constituting the fθ lens as the lens for opticalscanning are suitably provided in combination with the values of thefocal length f₁ of the condenser lens and the focal length f₂ of the fθlens. Otherwise, the material of the connection holding member and theplastic material for optics of the fθ lens are suitably selected inaccordance with the values of the focal length f₁ of the condenser lensand the focal length f₂ of the fθ lens. Thus, the change in position ofthe formed image point of the beam spot on the scanned face with respectto the change in environmental temperature is reduced.

In the second embodiment of the present invention, the scanning opticalsystem has the light source, the condenser lens, the connection holdingmember for connecting and supporting the light source and the condenserlens, and the lens for optical scanning made of plastic. The suitablechromatic aberration is provided for the condenser lens. Further, thematerial of the connection holding member and the plastic material foroptics constituting the lens for optical scanning are suitably providedin combination with the respective values of the focal length f₁ of thecondenser lens, the focal length f₂ of the lens for optical scanning andthe chromatic aberration df₁ /dλ of the condenser lens on the opticalaxis thereof. Otherwise, the material of the connection holding memberand the plastic material for optics are suitably selected in accordancewith the respective values f₁, f₂ and df₁ /dλ. Thus, the total change inposition of the formed image point in the vicinity of the scanned faceis reduced so that the scanning optical system withstanding the changein environmental temperature is provided.

In the scanning optical system in the third embodiment of the presentinvention, the connection holding member supports the light source foremitting the light beam and the condenser lens for changing the lightbeam from this light source to the convergent light beam. The materialof the connection holding member and the plastic material for opticsconstituting the lens for optical scanning are suitably provided incombination with the values of the focal length f₁ of the condenser lensand the focal length f₂ of the lens for optical scanning. Otherwise, thematerial of the connection holding member and the plastic material foroptics constituting the lens for optical scanning are suitably selectedin accordance with the values of the focal length f₁ of the condenserlens and the focal length f₂ of the lens for optical scanning. Thus, thechange in position of the image point formed by the lens for opticalscanning with respect to the change in environmental temperature isreduced.

In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the scanning opticalsystem has the light source, the condenser lens, the connection holdingmember for connecting and supporting the light source and the condenserlens, and the lens for optical scanning made of plastic. The suitablechromatic aberration is provided for the condenser lens. Further, thematerial of the connection holding member and the plastic material foroptics constituting the lens for optical scanning are suitably providedin combination with the respective values of the focal length f₁ of thecondenser lens, the lateral magnification β₁ of this condenser lens, thefocal length f₂ of the lens for optical scanning, the lateralmagnification β₂ of this lens for optical scanning, and the chromaticaberration df₁ /dλ of the condenser lens on the optical axis thereof.Otherwise, the material of the connection holding member and the plasticmaterial for optics are suitably selected in accordance with therespective values f₁, f₂, df₁ /dλ, β₁ and β₂. Thus, the total change inposition of the formed image point in the vicinity of the scanned faceis reduced so that the scanning optical system withstanding the changein environmental temperature is provided.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description of the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing one example of theconstruction of a general scanning optical system used in a laserprinter;

FIG. 2 is a view typically showing an optical path of a scanning opticalsystem in each of first and second embodiments of the present invention;and

FIG. 3 is a view typically showing an optical path of a scanning opticalsystem in each of third and fourth embodiments of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiments of a scanning optical system in the presentinvention will next be described in detail with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a general example of the construction of a scanning opticalsystem used in a laser printer.

In FIG. 1, a general laser printer 50 has a light source device 51composed of a laser diode. The light source device and the laser diodeare respectively called a light source and an LD in the followingdescription.

A condenser lens 52 is constructed such that a laser beam from the lightsource 51 is focused and formed as an image on a rotary polygon mirror53a of a deflecting device 53 along a first optical axis O₁ of theoptical system. This rotary polygon mirror 53a is rotated by theoperation of a suitable motor 53b at an equal speed.

A lens 54 for optical scanning is disposed between the deflecting device53 and a first fixed reflecting mirror 55. This lens 54 for opticalscanning is called an fθ lens in the following description. Anapproximately parallel laser beam is reflected on the rotary polygonmirror 53a as a deflecting face of the deflecting device 53 and istransmitted by this lens 54 toward the first fixed reflecting mirror 55along a second optical axis O₂ of the optical system while this laserbeam is changed to a convergent light beam. This deflecting device 53 isnormally constructed by a polygon mirror, a pyramidal mirror, etc.

A second fixed reflecting mirror 56 reflects a convergent light beamreflected on the first fixed reflecting mirror 55 and transmitted alonga third optical axis O₃ of the optical system. This light beam is formedas an image on a scanning line SL set on a surface of a photosensitivebody 57 along a fourth optical axis O₄ of the optical system.

In the scanning optical system constructed above, a connection holdingmember is used to fixedly hold both the light source 51 and thecondenser lens 54. The distance between the light source 51 and thecondenser lens 52 is changed in accordance with expansion andcontraction of the connection holding member for connecting the lightsource 51 and the condenser lens 52 caused by the change in environment,especially, the change in temperature.

Therefore, the light beam transmitted from the condenser lens 52 doesnot become a parallel light beam so that no uniform beam spot having apredetermined diameter can be stably obtained on the scanned face by theconvergent action of the fθ lens at the next stage.

When a wavelength of the light beam from the light source is changed,the focal length of the condenser lens 52 is changed. When the materialof the holding member is set to substantially cancel this change infocal length of this lens 52, the laser beam transmitted from thecondenser lens 52 substantially has the same wave surface shape at anytime irrespective of the change in temperature. A light source device ofa semiconductor laser having such a construction is proposed by the sameapplicant as that in this application in Japanese Patent ApplicationLaying Open (KOKAI) No. 61-150394.

In another light source device, chromatic aberration of the condenserlens 52 on the optical axis thereof is provided such that the change infocal length of the condenser lens 52 caused by the shift in wavelengthof the light beam from the light source is substantially canceled by thechange in axial distance of the holding member caused by the change intemperature, i.e., the change in distance between the light source 51and the condenser lens 52. Thus, the laser beam transmitted from thecondenser lens 52 substantially has the same wave surface shape at anytime irrespective of the change in temperature by providing suchchromatic aberration. This light source device is proposed by the sameapplicant as that in this application in Japanese Patent ApplicationLaying Open (KOKAI) No. 63-7530.

However, when the fθ lens 54 is made of plastic, the changes in shape,refractive index, etc. of this lens are caused by the change inenvironment, especially, the change in temperature. Therefore, theposition of an image point formed by this lens in the vicinity of thescanned face is changed so that it is difficult to stably provide theuniform diameter of the beam spot on the scanned face.

For example, when the fθ lens is made of polycarbonate (which is calleda PC material in the following description) and has a focal length f₂=200 (mm), the change Δf₂ in focal length of this lens is provided asfollows. ##EQU5## where refractive index n=1.57, coefficient of linearexpansion α'=7×10⁻⁵ [K⁻¹ ], and change in refractive index dn/dT=-9 to-14 (×10⁻⁵ /K).

In the above formula, reference numeral ΔT designates the change intemperature of the lens.

The temperature of the interior of the light source device is normallychanged about 50K. Accordingly, the following formula is obtained.##EQU6##

Therefore, the focal length of the lens is changed about 2 to 3 mm sothat the position of the formed image point in the vicinity of thescanned face is similarly changed about 2 to 3 mm. Accordingly, nostable diameter of the beam spot can be obtained on the scanned face.

In lens correction methods shown in Japanese Patent Application LayingOpen (KOKAI) Nos. 63-7530 and 61-150394, the problems about the changein focal length of the fθ lens caused by the change in environmentaltemperature thereof are still not solved. Therefore, it is desirable toprovide an optical scanning system for generally solving theabove-mentioned problems.

FIG. 2 is a view typically developing and showing an optical path of ascanning optical system in each of first and second embodiments of thepresent invention. A light source or light source device 1 emits a lightbeam for optical scanning and can be constructed by a semiconductorlaser, a light-emitting diode, etc. In the embodiments, the light source1 is constructed by a semiconductor diode. A condenser lens 2 isarranged backward from the light source 1 (i.e., rightward in FIG. 2)and changes a divergent light beam emitted from the semiconductor diodeto a parallel light beam.

A deflecting face 3 is arranged backward from the condenser lens 2 andis operated to perform a deflecting operation by an unillustrateddeflector (or a deflecting device). An fθ lens 4 as a lens for opticalscanning is arranged backward from this deflecting face 3. The abovedeflector can be constructed by a system for rotating a polygon mirroror a pyramidal mirror.

A scanned face 5 is arranged backward from the fθ lens 4 and correspondsto the photosensitive body 57 shown in FIG. 1.

The distance from the light source 1 to a main point of the condenserlens 2 on the front side thereof, i.e., an object distance is designatedby reference numeral S₁. The distance from a main point of the condenserlens 2 on the rear side thereof to a main point of the fθ lens 4 on thefront side thereof is designated by reference numeral D. The distancefrom a main point of the fθ lens 4 on the rear side thereof to a formedimage point in the vicinity of the scanned face 5 is designated byreference numeral S₂ '. The focal length of the condenser lens 2 is setto f₁ and the focal length of the fθ lens 4 is set to f₂.

When S₁ =-f₁, the light beam transmitted from the condenser lens 2becomes a parallel beam.

The distance from the main point of the condenser lens 2 on the rearside thereof to the formed image point of the light beam after thecondenser lens 2 is set to S₁ '. In this case, when S₁ '=∞ is set, S₂ =∞is formed where S₂ designates the distance from the main point of the fθlens 4 on the front side thereof to the formed image point of theincident light beam of the fθ lens 4.

At this time, S₂ '=f₂ is formed so that the formed image point islocated on the scanned face 5 if the scanned face 5 is set in a positionseparated by focal length f₂ from the main point of the fθ lens 4 on therear side thereof.

In the scanning optical system constructed above, the laser beam isdeflected on the deflecting face 3 of the deflector at an equal angularvelocity and is formed by the fθ lens 4 as an image on the scanned face5, thereby performing a scanning operation on a scanning line of thescanned face 5 at an approximately equal speed.

This approximately equal speed means a speed provided such that a shiftin speed from the equal speed can be corrected by an electric signalprocessing.

In such a scanning optical system, the change in position of the imagepoint caused by the change in environmental temperature is based on theabove-mentioned three factors as follows.

A first factor is the change in position of the formed image point inthe vicinity of the scanned face 5 which is caused by the change indistance between the light source 1 and the condenser lens 2 caused bythe change in temperature. A second factor is the change in position ofthe formed image point which is caused by the changes in shape andoptical characteristic of the fθ lens 4 caused by the change intemperature. A third factor is the change in position of the formedimage point which is caused by the shift in emission wavelength of thelight source 1 caused by the change in temperature.

The following analyzing results are obtained with respect to the changein position of the formed image point in the vicinity of the scannedface 5 which is caused by the change in distance between the lightsource 1 and the condenser lens 2 caused by the change in temperature.

The focal length of the condenser lens 2 is set to f₁. A connectionholding member 6 for connecting and supporting the light source 1 andthe condenser lens 2 has a coefficient α of linear expansion and thechange in temperature is set to ΔT. It is assumed that the length of theconnection holding member 6 is equal to the focal length f₁ of thecondenser lens 2. In this case, the change Δ in distance between thelight source 1 and the condenser lens 2 caused by the change intemperature can be represented by the following formula.

    Δ=α·f.sub.1 ·ΔT

Since S₁ =-f₁ is formed, S₁ is changed to (-f₁ -Δ) by the change intemperature.

In this case, the following formulas are generally formed.

    1/S.sub.1 '=(1/S.sub.1)+(1/f.sub.1)

    1/S.sub.2 '=(1/S.sub.2)+(1/f.sub.2)

    S.sub.2 =S.sub.1 '-D

If Δ<<f₁ is set and the object distance S₁ is changed from -f₁ to -f₁ -Δby the change in temperature, virtual distance S₁ ' of the condenserlens 2 is changed as follows.

    S.sub.1 '=∞→S.sub.1 '=f.sub.1.sup.2 /Δ

The above distance S₂ with respect to the fθ lens 4 is changed asfollows.

    S.sub.2 =∞→S.sub.2 =(f.sub.1.sup.2 /Δ)-D˜(f.sub.1.sup.2 /Δ)

The above distance S₂ ' with respect to the fθ lens 4 is changed asfollows.

    S.sub.2 '=f.sub.2 →S.sub.2 '=f.sub.2 -(f.sub.2 /f.sub.1).sup.2 ·Δ

Accordingly, the change A in position of the formed image point causedby thermal expansion of the holding member 6 is provided by thefollowing formula.

    A=-(f.sub.2 /f.sub.1).sup.2 ·Δ=-(α·f.sub.2.sup.2 /f.sub.1)·ΔT

The formed image point is moved on the side of the fθ lens 4 (in theleft-hand direction in FIG. 1) by the increase in temperature.

The change in position of the formed image point caused by the change intemperature of the fθ lens 4 will next be considered.

The coefficient of linear expansion of the material constituting the fθlens 4 is set to α' and a rate of change in refractive index of thislens with respect to temperature is set to dn/dT. In this case, ingeneral, a rate df/dT of change in focal length of a single lens withrespect to temperature can be approximately provided by the followingformula under a condition in which this lens is deformed in a similarfigure. ##EQU7##

Accordingly, the change Δf₂ in focal distance f₂ of the fθ lens 4 isprovided by the following formula. ##EQU8##

The change B in position of the formed image point is provided by thefollowing formula. ##EQU9## The formed image point is therefore moved onthe side thereof opposite to the fθ lens 4.

The coefficient α' and the rate dn/dT in the case of glass areapproximately smaller by one figure than those of plastic so that thecoefficient α' and the rate dn/dT in the case of glass can besubstantially neglected.

The above changes A and B in position of the formed image point arecaused such that these changes are canceled with respect to each other.Accordingly, when a ratio of absolute values of these changes is set toa value close to 1, it is possible to almost completely cancel thechange in position of the formed image point caused by the change intemperature.

The change in position of the formed image point caused by the change intemperature can be reduced by setting a ratio (-A/B) of the changes Aand B to a value different from the value 1 as follows. ##EQU10##

When the ratio (-A/B) is less than a lower limit value 0.5, it isinsufficient to correct the change in temperature of the plasticmaterial constituting the fθ lens 4. In contrast to this, when the ratio(-A/B) exceeds an upper limit value 2, the change in temperature of theplastic material is excessively corrected.

Concrete materials used for the holding member 6 and the fθ lens 4 willnext be described.

Table 1 shows typical materials considered as the holding member 6 forconnecting the light source 1 and the condenser lens 2 to each other andtheir coefficients α of linear expansion.

                  TABLE 1                                                         ______________________________________                                        No.      material          α (×10.sup.-5 /K)                      ______________________________________                                        1        aluminum          2.3                                                2        brass             1.8˜2.3                                      3        stainless steel    1.64                                              4        iron              1.2                                                5        PC (including glass fiber)                                                                      3.0˜5.5                                      6        BMC (including glass fiber)                                                                     2.0˜5.0                                      7        PPS (including glass fiber)                                                                     2.0˜4.5                                      8        modified PP.sup.--O                                                                             3.0˜5.5                                               (including glass fiber)                                              ______________________________________                                    

The materials with respect to numbers 1 to 4 are composed of metals oralloys. The materials with respect to numbers 5 to 8 are composed ofresins including glass fiber.

Table 2 shows typical plastic materials constituting the fθ lens 4,their coefficients α' of linear expansion, their refractive indexes n inthe case of wavelength 780 nm, and their rates dn/dT of change inrefractive index with respect to temperature.

                  TABLE 2                                                         ______________________________________                                        No.  material   α' (×10.sup.-5 /K)                                                            n    (dn/d.sub.T) (×10.sup.-5 /K)           ______________________________________                                        1'   PC (poly-  7.0         1.57  -9˜-14                                     carbonate)                                                               2'   PMMA       6.3         1.49 -8.5˜-11                                    (acrylic resin)                                                          3'   polystyrene                                                                              8.0         1.58 -12˜-14                                ______________________________________                                    

Tables 3 and 4 show the values of the changes A and B with respect tothe respective materials when f₂ =200 (mm) and the variation width oftemperature ΔT=50 [K]. Tables 3 and 4 also show values A/Δt and B/ΔT.

With respect to the materials of the holding member 6 in Tables 3 and 4,f₁ =10 (mm) is set in the case of numbers 1 to 4, and f₁ =20 (mm) is setin the case of numbers 5 to 8.

                  TABLE 3                                                         ______________________________________                                        No.   material     A/ΔT [mm/K]                                                                           A[mm]                                        ______________________________________                                        1     aluminum     -0.092        -4.6                                         2     brass        -0.072˜-0.092                                                                         -3.6˜-4.6                              3     stainless steel                                                                             -0.0656       -3.28                                       4     iron         -0.048        -2.4                                         5     PC (including                                                                              -0.06˜-0.11                                                                           -3.0˜-5.5                                    glass fiber)                                                            6     BMC (including                                                                             -0.04˜-0.1                                                                            -2.0˜-5.0                                    glass fiber)                                                            7     PPS (including                                                                             -0.04˜-0.09                                                                           -2.0˜-4.5                                    glass fiber)                                                            8     modified PP.sup.--O                                                                        -0.06˜-0.11                                                                           -3.0˜-5.5                                    (including glass                                                              fiber)                                                                  ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 4                                                         ______________________________________                                        No.   material        B/ΔT [mm/K]                                                                         B[mm]                                       ______________________________________                                        1'    PC (polycarbonate)                                                                            0.046˜0.063                                                                          2.3˜3.15                             2'    PMMAC (acrylic resin)                                                                         0.047˜0.057                                                                         2.35˜2.85                             3'    polystyrene     0.057˜0.064                                                                         2.85˜3.2                              ______________________________________                                    

Tables 5 to 7 show the total change A+B in position of the formed imagepoint caused by the change in temperature with respect to a combinationof the respective materials of the holding member 6 and the fθ lens 4when the change in environmental temperature is caused. Tables 5 to 7also show the ratio -A/B of these changes A and B with respect to thecombination of the respective materials.

                  TABLE 5                                                         ______________________________________                                                       material No. of fθ lens 4                                material No. of                                                                              1'                                                             holding member A + B       -A/B                                               ______________________________________                                        1               -2.3˜-1.45                                                                         1.46˜2.0                                     2               -2.3˜-0.45                                                                         1.14˜2.0                                     3               -0.98˜-0.13                                                                        1.04˜1.43                                    4              -0.1˜0.75                                                                           0.76˜1.04                                    5              -3.2˜0.15                                                                           0.95˜2.39                                    6              -2.7˜1.15                                                                           0.63˜1.59                                    7              -2.2˜1.15                                                                           0.63˜1.96                                    8              -3.2˜0.15                                                                           0.95˜2.39                                    ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 6                                                         ______________________________________                                                      material No. of fθ lens 4                                 material No. of                                                                             2'                                                              holding member                                                                              A + B        -A/B                                               ______________________________________                                        1              -2.25˜-1.75                                                                         1.61˜1.96                                    2              -2.25˜-0.75                                                                         1.26˜1.96                                    3              -0.93˜-0.43                                                                         1.15˜1.4                                     4             -0.05˜0.45                                                                           0.84˜1.02                                    5             -3.15˜0.15                                                                           1.05˜2.34                                    6             -2.65˜1.85                                                                            0.7˜2.13                                    7             -2.15˜0.85                                                                            0.7˜1.91                                    8             -3.15˜0.15                                                                           1.05˜2.34                                    ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 7                                                         ______________________________________                                                      material No. of fθ lens 4                                 material No. of                                                                             3'                                                              holding member                                                                              A + B        -A/B                                               ______________________________________                                        1              -1.75˜-1.4                                                                          1.46˜1.61                                    2              -1.75˜-0.4                                                                          1.13˜1.61                                    3              -0.43˜-0.08                                                                         1.03˜1.15                                    4              0.45˜0.8                                                                            0.75˜0.84                                    5             -2.3˜0.2                                                                             0.94˜1.93                                    6             -2.15˜1.2                                                                            0.63˜1.75                                    7             -1.65˜1.2                                                                            0.63˜1.58                                    8             -2.3˜0.2                                                                             0.94˜1.93                                    ______________________________________                                    

From the above tables, it should be understood that the absolute value|A+B| can be set to be smaller than the absolute value |B|.

With respect to the materials of the holding member 6 in the case ofnumbers 5 to 8, the ratio -A/B exceeds the upper limit value thereof insome cases for the following reasons.

With respect to the resins including glass fiber, their coefficients oflinear expansion are different from each other in accordance with thelongitudinal direction of the glass fiber. In Table 1, the variationwidth of the value α is large since this value includes dispersiondepending on the longitudinal direction of the glass fiber. When each ofthe resins is actually used, the longitudinal direction of the glassfiber providing a small coefficient of linear expansion is set to thedirection of the optical axis of the condenser lens 2 so that the ratio-A/B can be set to a value less than the upper limit value 2.

In the above-mentioned description, the chromatic aberration of thecondenser lens 2 on the optical axis thereof is assumed to be completelycorrected. However, the condenser lens can be suitably compensated withrespect to temperature in consideration of the chromatic aberration ofthis lens on the optical axis thereof.

For example, as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laying Open (KOKAI)No. 63-7530 mentioned above, the chromatic aberration of the condenserlens 2 on the optical axis thereof may be provided to cancel the shiftin wavelength of the light beam from the light source based on thechange in temperature.

A scanning optical system in a second embodiment of the presentinvention will next be described.

In this scanning optical system, similar to the first embodiment, thechange A in position of the formed image point in the vicinity of thescanned face is caused by the change in distance (length of the holdingmember 6) between the light source 1 and the condenser lens 2 caused bythe change in temperature, and the change B in position of the formedimage point is caused by the change in temperature of the fθ lens 4.Therefore, the explanation about these changes are omitted in thefollowing description.

In the scanning optical system in the second embodiment, the change inposition of the formed image point in the vicinity of the scanned faceis also caused by the shift in emission wavelength of the light beamfrom the light source 1 caused by the change in temperature.

The chromatic aberration of the condenser lens 2 on the optical axisthereof is set to df₁ /dλ. The shift in wavelength of the light beamemitted from the light source 1 with respect to the change intemperature is set to dλ/dT. In this case, the change Δf₁ in focallength f₁ of the condenser lens 2 can be represented as follows.

    Δf.sub.1 =(dλ/d.sub.T)·(df.sub.1 /dλ)·Δ.sub.T

If f₁ is changed to f₁ +Δf₁ and Δf₂ <<f₁ is set, the distances S₁ ', S₂and S₂ ' are changed as follows.

    S.sub.1 '=∞→-f.sub.1.sup.2 /Δf.sub.1

    S.sub.2 =∞→(-f.sub.1.sup.2 /Δf.sub.1)-D˜f.sub.1.sup.2 /Δf.sub.1

    S.sub.2 '=f.sub.2 →f.sub.2 +(f.sub.2 /f.sub.1).sup.2 ·Δf.sub.1

Accordingly, the change A' in position of the formed image point causedby the shift in wavelength caused by the chromatic aberration of thecondenser lens 2 and the change in temperature is represented asfollows. ##EQU11##

At this time, the formed image point is moved on the side thereofopposite to the fθ lens 4 in accordance with the increase intemperature.

The change (A+A') in position of the formed image point with respect tothe light source 1 and the condenser lens 2 is generally caused suchthat this change (A+A') is canceled by the change B in position of theformed image point with respect to the fθ lens 4 made of plastic foroptics. Accordingly, when a ratio of absolute values of these changes isset to a value close to 1, the change in position of the formed imagepoint caused by the change in temperature can be almost completelycanceled.

When the above ratio is not set to 1 and the changes A, A' and B are setby the following inequality, the change (A+A'+B) in position of theformed image point caused by the change in temperature can be reduced.##EQU12##

When the ratio -(A+A')/B is less than the lower limit value 0.3, it isinsufficient to correct the change in temperature of the plasticmaterial constituting the fθ lens 4. In contrast to this, when thisratio exceeds the upper limit value 2, the change in temperature of theplastic material is excessively corrected.

Concrete materials used for the holding member 6 and the fθ lens 4 willnext be described in the scanning optical system in the secondembodiment of the present invention.

Typical materials usable for the holding member 6 and the coefficients αof linear expansion thereof are the same as those in the above Table 1.Typical materials of the fθ lens 4, their coefficients α' of linearexpansion, their refractive indexes n in the case of wavelength 780 nm,and their changes dn/dT in refractive index with respect to the changein temperature are the same as those in the above Table 2.

Accordingly, when f₂ =200 (mm) and the variation width of temperatureΔT=50 [K], the values of the changes A and B with respect to therespective materials are similar to those in the above Tables 3 and 4.

When the change in environmental temperature is caused, the value of thetotal change A+B in position of the formed image point of the fθ lens 4with respect to a combination of the respective materials of the holdingmember 6 and the fθ lens 4 is also similar to that shown in the aboveTables 5 to 7.

It is next considered that the change A' in position of the formed imagepoint caused by the chromatic aberration of the condenser lens 2 and theshift in wavelength caused by the change in temperature is included inthe change A+A'+B in position of the entire optical system to set thischange A+A'+B to a value smaller than the above-mentioned value |A+B|.

When it is assumed that a semiconductor laser is used as the lightsource 1, the shift in wavelength of the light beam from this lightsource with respect to the change in temperature is generally providedas follows.

    dλ/d.sub.T ˜0.25(nm/K)

Accordingly, when f₂ =200 mm is set, the change A' is provided asfollows. ##EQU13##

When the variation width of temperature ΔT is assumed to be 50 [K], thechange A' is provided as follows. ##EQU14##

Therefore, it is possible to reduce the value of the above change A+A'+Bby setting the value df₁ /dλ to a suitable value so that the ratio-(A+A')/B approaches "1".

Table 8 shows the suitable chromatic aberration df₁ /dλ and the changeA' with respect to a combination of the respective materials. Table 9shows the change A+A'+B and the ratio -(A+A')/B shown by parentheses inthis combination.

                                      TABLE 8                                     __________________________________________________________________________            material No. of fθ lens                                                 1'        2'       3'                                                 material No. of                                                                       df.sub.1 /dλ                                                                     df.sub.1 /dλ                                                                    df.sub.1 /dλ                                holding member                                                                        [μm/nm]                                                                         A'   [μm/nm]                                                                         A'  [μm/nm]                                                                         A'                                            __________________________________________________________________________    1       0.375                                                                              1.88 0.4  2.0 0.315                                                                              1.58                                          2       0.275                                                                              1.38 0.3  1.5 0.215                                                                              1.08                                          3       0.111                                                                              0.56 0.136                                                                              0.68                                                                              0.051                                                                              0.26                                          4       -0.065                                                                             -0.33                                                                              -0.04                                                                              -0.2                                                                              -0.125                                                                             -0.63                                         5       1.22 1.53 1.32 1.65                                                                              0.84 1.05                                          6       0.62 0.78 0.72 0.9 0.38 0.48                                          7       0.42 0.53 0.52 0.65                                                                              0.18 0.23                                          8       1.22 1.53 1.32 1.65                                                                              0.84 1.05                                          __________________________________________________________________________

                  TABLE 9                                                         ______________________________________                                        material No.                                                                  of holding                                                                             material No. of fθ lens                                        member   1'          2'          3'                                           ______________________________________                                        1        -0.42˜0.43                                                                          -0.25˜0.25                                                                          -0.17˜0.18                                       (0.86˜1.18)                                                                         (0.91˜1.13)                                                                         (0.94˜1.06)                           2        -0.92˜0.93                                                                          -0.75˜0.75                                                                          -0.67˜0.68                                       (0.7˜1.4)                                                                           (0.74˜1.32)                                                                         (0.79˜1.24)                           3        -0.42˜0.43                                                                          -0.25˜0.25                                                                          -0.17˜0.18                                       (0.86˜1.18)                                                                         (0.91˜1.11)                                                                         (0.94˜1.06)                           4        -0.43˜0.42                                                                          -0.25˜0.25                                                                          -0.18˜0.17                                       (0.87˜1.19)                                                                         (0.91˜1.11)                                                                         (0.95˜1.06)                           5        -1.67˜1.68                                                                          -1.5˜1.5                                                                            -1.25˜1.25                                       (0.47˜1.73)                                                                         (0.47˜1.64)                                                                         (0.61˜1.56)                           6        -1.92˜1.93                                                                          -1.75˜1.75                                                                          -1.67˜1.68                                       (0.39˜1.83)                                                                         (0.39˜1.74)                                                                         (0.48˜1.59)                           7        -1.67˜1.68                                                                          -1.5˜1.5                                                                            -1.42˜1.43                                       (0.47˜1.73)                                                                         (0.47˜1.64)                                                                         (0.55˜1.5)                            8        -1.67˜1.68                                                                          -1.5˜1.5                                                                            -1.25˜1.25                                       (0.47˜1.73)                                                                         (0.47˜1.64)                                                                         (0.61˜1.56)                           ______________________________________                                    

As shown in Table 9, the total change A+A'+B in position of the formedimage point can be reduced by providing the above-mentioned suitablechromatic aberration for the condenser lens 2.

In this Table 9, each of the total change A+A'+B and the ratio -(A+A')/Bhas a certain width since each of the characteristic values α and dn/dTof the respective materials has a certain width provided by using ageneral numeric value.

Accordingly, when these characteristic values are definitely determined,it is possible to make an accurate design for temperature compensation.

For example, when the condenser lens 2 is constructed by one group oftwo lenses composed of negative and positive lenses arranged from theside of the light source 1, the focal length of the positive lens is setto f₃ and its Abbe number is set to ν₃. Further, the focal length of thenegative lens is set to f₄ and its Abbe number is set to ν₄. In thiscase, to provide the suitable chromatic aberration for the condenserlens 2, the following value, ##EQU15## is set to a value correspondingto this suitable chromatic aberration (see Japanese Patent ApplicationLaying Open (KOKAI) No. 63-8625 mentioned above). The condenser lens canbe constructed by e.g., two groups of four lenses when no condition forthe predetermined chromatic aberration is obtained in the case of onegroup of two lenses.

As mentioned above, in the scanning optical system in the secondembodiment of the present invention, the suitable chromatic aberrationis provided for the condenser lens 2. Further, the material of theconnection holding member 6 and the plastic material for optics of thefθ lens 4 are suitably provided in combination with the respectivevalues f₁, f₂ and df₁ /dλ mentioned above. Otherwise, the material ofthe connection holding member 6 and the plastic material of the fθ lens4 are suitably selected in accordance with the respective values f₁, f₂and df₁ /dλ. Concretely, these materials satisfy the above-mentionedconditions. Thus, the total change in position of the formed image pointin the vicinity of the scanned face 5 is reduced so that the scanningoptical system withstanding the change in environmental temperature isprovided.

Further, in the second embodiment, the approximately parallel light beamfrom the condenser lens 2 is converged by the fθ lens 4 and the scannedface 5 is arranged in the vicinity of a convergent point of the lightbeam, thereby greatly improving field curvature on the scanned face 5.

The scanning optical system of the present invention is not limited tothat in the second embodiment mentioned above, but can be changed invarious kinds of modifications within the scope of the features of theinvention.

For example, in the second embodiment, the laser beam is used as thelight beam emitted from the light source, but another kind of light beammay be used. It is possible to use optical glass, a plastic material foroptics, etc. as the material of the condenser lens.

The scanning optical system of the present invention can be also used asthat in a reading device, a laser display, a laser measuring device,etc.

A scanning optical system in each of third and fourth embodiments of thepresent invention will next be described in detail.

FIG. 3 is a view typically showing an optical path of the scanningoptical system in each of the third and fourth embodiments.

A light source 11 corresponds to the light source 51 shown in FIG. 1 andis composed of e.g., a laser diode for emitting a light beam for opticalscanning. The light source 11 is arranged such that the divergent laserbeam is incident to a condenser lens 12.

In this case, the condenser lens 12 is desirably constructed by a singlelens or a plurality of lenses made of glass and preferably correctedwith respect to the chromatic aberration. If no optical element isarranged on an image face side of the condenser lens 12, the laser beamincident to the condenser lens 12 is formed as an image at a virtualpoint Q' on a virtual face 15.

The light source 11 and the condenser lens 12 are fixedly supported byan unillustrated connection holding member constructed by a materialdescribed later. The light source 11 is located on an optical axis of anobject face 16 perpendicular to a first optical axis O₁ of the scanningoptical system. The condenser lens 12 is set to be located on the firstoptical axis O₁ and separated from this object face 16 by an axialdistance (object distance) S₁.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral S₁ designates a distance from a main pointH₁ of the condenser lens 12 on the front side thereof to the object face16. Reference numeral S₁ ' designates a virtual distance from a mainpoint H₁ ' of the condenser lens 12 on the rear side thereof to thevirtual point Q'.

A deflector is composed of a polygon mirror, a pyramidal mirror, etc.and has a deflecting face 13 typically shown in FIG. 3. This deflectingface 13 corresponds to the reflecting face of the rotary polygon mirror53a of the deflector 53 in FIG. 1.

Reference numeral 17 typically shows a moving local face of a formedimage point of the convergent light beam when the convergent light beamfrom the condenser lens 12 is deflected on a second optical axis O₂ ofthe scanning optical system by rotating the deflecting face 13 of thedeflector.

This moving local face 17 is shown as an arc face in FIG. 3. When thedeflector is composed of a polygon mirror, the position of a deflectingstart point is slightly changed on the second optical axis O₂ so thatthe moving local face 17 cannot be formed as a perfect arc face, but isapproximately formed as the arc face.

An fθ lens 14 is composed of a single lens for optical scanning andhaving positive refracting power. The fθ lens 14 is made of plastic foroptics described later and is arranged such that a main point H₂ of thislens on the front side thereof is separated from a main point H₁ ' ofthe condenser lens 12 on the rear side thereof by the distance D.

The convergent laser beam reflected on the deflecting face 13 of thedeflector is formed by the fθ lens 14 as an image in the shape of a spoton a scanning line of a scanned face 18 directly or through a suitablefixed reflecting mirror.

In other words, this fθ lens 14 is ideally constructed such that themoving locus of the light beam from the condenser lens 12 deflected bythe deflector is set in an object position of a virtual light source andthis object position and the scanned face 18 are arranged in a conjugaterelation.

The focal length of the fθ lens 14 is set to f₂ and the axial distancefrom the main point H₂ of the fθ lens 14 on the front side thereof tothe virtual point Q' is set to S₂. Further, the axial distance from themain point H₂ ' of the fθ lens 14 on the rear side thereof to thescanned face 18 is set to S₂ '. In this case, the following formula isformed.

    (1/S.sub.2)-(1/S.sub.2 ')=-1/f.sub.2

In FIG. 3, reference numeral t designates an entrance pupil distancefrom the main point H₂ of the fθ lens 14 on the front side thereof tothe deflecting face 13.

In the scanning optical system constructed above, the convergent laserbeam is deflected on the deflecting face 13 of the deflector at an equalangular velocity and is formed by the fθ lens 14 as an image on thescanned face 18. The scanning operation with respect to this laser beamis performed on the scanning line of the scanned face 18 at anapproximately equal speed.

As mentioned above, this approximately equal speed means a speedprovided such that a shift in speed from the equal speed can becorrected by an electric signal processing.

In this scanning optical system, the change in position of the abovevirtual point Q' caused by the change in environmental temperature willnext be considered.

As mentioned above, the change in position of the virtual point Q'caused by the change in temperature and the change in position of theimage point formed by the fθ lens 14 are considered to be composed ofthe change in distance between the light source 11 and the condenserlens 12 caused by the change in temperature, and the changes in shapeand optical characteristic of the fθ lens 14 caused by the change intemperature.

The focal length of the condenser lens 12 is set to f₁. The coefficientof linear expansion of the connection holding member for supporting thelight source 11 and the condenser lens 12 is set to α, and the change intemperature is set to ΔT. Further, the length of the connection holdingmember is assumed to be equal to the focal length f₁ of the condenserlens 12. In this case, similar to the above-mentioned case, the change Δin distance between the light source 11 and the condenser lens 12 causedby the change in temperature can be represented as follows.

    Δ=α×f.sub.1 ×ΔT

When the object distance S₁ in FIG. 3 is assumed to be equal to anobject distance S₁₀ at the designing time of the scanning optical systemand the change ΔT in temperature is caused, the object distance S₁ ischanged to S₁₀ -Δ.

In this case, the following formulas are generally formed.

    1/S.sub.1 '=1/S.sub.1 +1/f.sub.1

    1/S.sub.2 '=1/S.sub.2 +1/f.sub.2

    S.sub.2 =S.sub.1 '-D

When Δ<<f₁ is assumed to be formed and the object distance S₁ is changedfrom S₁₀ to S₁₀ -Δ by the change in temperature, the virtual distance S₁' of the condenser lens 12 is changed as follows.

    S.sub.1 '=S.sub.10 '→S.sub.1 '=S.sub.10 '-β.sub.1.sup.2 ×Δ

The distance S₂ from the main point H₂ of the fθ lens 14 on the frontside thereof to the virtual face 15 is changed as follows.

    S.sub.2 =S.sub.20 →S.sub.2 =S.sub.20 -β.sub.1 .sup.2 ×Δ

Further, the distance S₂ ' from the main point H₂ ' of the fθ lens 14 onthe rear side thereof to the scanned face 18 is changed as follows.

    S.sub.2 '=S.sub.20 '→S.sub.2 '=S.sub.20 '-β.sub.1.sup.2 ×β.sub.2.sup.2 ×Δ

In this case, reference numerals S₁₀ ', S₂₀, S₂₀ ', β₁ and β₂ aredefined as follows.

S₁₀ ' designates a distance from the condenser lens 12 to an imageformed by this lens at the designing time of the scanning opticalsystem.

S₂₀ designates a distance from the main point H₂ of the fθ lens 14 onthe front side thereof to the virtual point Q' formed by the condenserlens 12 at the designing time of the optical scanning system.

S₂₀ ' designates a distance from the main point H₂ ' of the fθ lens 14on the rear side thereof to the image point formed by the fθ lens 14 onthe scanned face 18 at the designing time of the scanning opticalsystem.

β₁ designates a lateral magnification of the condenser lens 12 and isequal to S₁₀ '/S₁₀.

β₂ designates a lateral magnification of the fθ lens 14 and is equal toS₂₀ '/S₂₀.

Accordingly, the change A in position of the image point formed by thefθ lens 14 caused by the thermal expansion of the connection holdingmember caused by the change in temperature is represented as followsfrom the above formulas of the change Δ and the distance S₂ '.

    A=-β.sub.1.sup.2 ×β.sub.2.sup.2 ×α×f.sub.1 ×ΔT

At this time, the formed image point is moved on the side of the fθ lens14 (in the left-hand direction in FIG. 3) in accordance with theincrease in temperature.

The changes in shape and optical characteristic of the fθ lens 14 causedby the change in temperature will next be described.

The coefficient of linear expansion of an optical material constitutingthe fθ lens 14 is set to α'. The rate of change in refractive index ofthe fθ lens 14 with respect to the change in temperature is set todn/dT. In this case, when this lens is deformed in a similar figure, therate of change in focal length of a single lens with respect totemperature can be generally represented approximately by the followingformula. ##EQU16## The change Δf₂ in focal length of this lens istherefore represented as follows. ##EQU17##

Accordingly, the change B in position of the formed image point causedby the change in temperature of the fθ lens 14 is provided as follows.##EQU18##

At this time, the formed image point is moved on the side thereofseparated from the fθ 14 (in the right-hand direction in FIG. 3) inaccordance with the increase in temperature.

Further, the change B in position of the formed image point caused bythe change in temperature of the fθ lens 14, and the above change A inposition of the image point formed by the condenser lens 12 caused bythe thermal expansion of the connection holding member are caused to becanceled with respect to each other. Accordingly, when the opticalscanning system is constructed such that a ratio of absolute values ofthese changes A and B is set to "1", it is possible to cancel the changein position of the image point formed by the fθ 14 caused by the changein environmental temperature.

The above change in position of the formed image point can be reduced bysetting the ratio -A/B of absolute values of the changes A and B asfollows even when this ratio is not equal to "1". ##EQU19##

When the ratio -A/B is less than a lower limit value thereof, it isinsufficient to correct the change in temperature of the fθ lens 14 madeof plastic. In contrast to this, when the ratio -A/B exceeds an upperlimit value thereof, the change in temperature of the fθ lens 14 isexcessively corrected.

Concrete materials used for the connection holding member and the fθlens 14, and concrete values of the changes A+B and -A/B in position ofthe formed image point with respect to a combination of the respectivematerials will next be described.

Typical materials usable for the connection holding member and thecoefficients α of linear expansion thereof are similar to those shown inTables 1 and 2 in the first and second embodiments.

A typical plastic material for optics usable for the fθ lens 14 is alsosimilar to that described in the first and second embodiments.Accordingly, the coefficient α of linear expansion of this plasticmaterial, the refractive index n thereof in the case of wavelength 780nm, and the change dn/dT in refractive index of this plastic materialwith respect to the change in temperature are also similar to thoseshown in the Table 2.

Tables 10 and 11 respectively show the values of the changes A and B andthe ratios A/ΔT and B/ΔT with respect to the respective materials whenf₂ =200 mm, β₂ =0.2, and the variation width of the environmentaltemperature ΔT=50 [K.].

In this case, f₁ =8 and β₁ =-80 are set with respect to the materials ofthe connection holding member from number 1 to number 4. Further, f₁ =16and β₁ =-40 are set with respect to the materials of the connectionholding member from number 5 to number 8.

                  TABLE 10                                                        ______________________________________                                        No.   material     A/ΔT [mm/K]                                                                           A[mm]                                        ______________________________________                                        1     aluminum     -0.0471       -2.36                                        2     brass        -0.0369˜-0.0745                                                                       -1.84˜-2.36                            3     stainless steel                                                                            -0.0336       -1.68                                        4     iron         -0.0246       -1.23                                        5     PC (including                                                                              -0.0307˜-0.0563                                                                       -1.54˜-2.82                                  glass fiber)                                                            6     BMC (including                                                                             -0.0205˜-0.0512                                                                       -1.02˜-2.56                                  glass fiber)                                                            7     PPS (including                                                                             -0.0205˜-0.0461                                                                       -1.02˜-2.3                                   glass fiber)                                                            8     modified PP.sup.--O                                                                        -0.0307˜-0.0563                                                                       -1.54˜-2.82                                  (including glass                                                              fiber)                                                                  ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 11                                                        ______________________________________                                        No.   material        B/ΔT [mm/K]                                                                         B[mm]                                       ______________________________________                                        1'    PC (polycarbonate)                                                                            0.0292˜0.0404                                                                       1.46˜2.02                             2'    PMMA (acrylic resin)                                                                          0.0303˜0.0368                                                                       1.51˜1.84                             3'    polystyrene     0.0367˜0.0411                                                                       1.84˜2.06                             ______________________________________                                    

Table 12 shows the values of the changes A+B and -A/B in position of theformed image point in the combination of the respective materials whenthe environmental temperature is changed. The values of the change -A/Bare shown by parentheses in this Table 12.

                  TABLE 12                                                        ______________________________________                                        material                                                                      No. of                                                                        holding material No. of fθ lens                                         member  1'          2'           3'                                           ______________________________________                                        1        -0.9˜-0.34                                                                         -0.85˜-0.52                                                                          -0.52˜-0.3                                     (1.17˜1.62)                                                                         (1.28˜1.56)                                                                          (1.15˜1.28)                            2       -0.9˜0.18                                                                           -0.85˜ 0.0                                                                           -0.52˜0.22                                     (0.91˜1.62)                                                                          (1.0˜1.56)                                                                          (0.89˜1.28)                            3       -0.22˜0.34                                                                          -0.17˜0.16                                                                           0.16˜0.38                                      (0.83˜1.15)                                                                         (0.91˜1.13)                                                                          (0.82˜0.91)                            4       0.23˜0.79                                                                           0.28˜0.61                                                                            0.61˜0.83                                      (0.61˜0.84)                                                                         (0.67˜0.81)                                                                           (0.6˜0.67)                            5       -1.36˜0.48                                                                          -1.31˜0.3                                                                            -0.98˜0.52                                     (0.76˜1.93)                                                                         (0.84˜1.87)                                                                          (0.75˜1.53)                            6       -1.1˜1.0                                                                            -1.05˜0.82                                                                           -0.72˜1.04                                     (0.50˜1.75)                                                                         (0.55˜1.7)                                                                            (0.5˜1.39)                            7       -0.84˜1.0                                                                           -0.79˜0.82                                                                           -0.46˜1.04                                     (0.50˜1.58)                                                                         (0.55˜1.52)                                                                           (0.5˜1.25)                            8       -1.36˜0.48                                                                          -1.31˜0.3                                                                            -0.98˜0.52                                     (0.76˜1.93)                                                                         (0.84˜1.87)                                                                          (0.75˜1.53)                            ______________________________________                                    

From the above Table 12, it should be understood that the absolute value|A+B| can be set to be smaller than the absolute value |B|.

As mentioned above, in the scanning optical system in the thirdembodiment of the present invention, the material of the connectionholding member and the plastic material for optics of the fθ lens 14 areprovided in combination with the values of the focal length f₁ of thecondenser lens 12 and the focal length f₂ of the fθ lens 14 so as tosatisfy the above-mentioned formulas. Otherwise, the material of theconnection holding member and the plastic material for optics of the fθlens 14 are selected in accordance with the values of the focal lengthf₁ of the condenser lens 12 and the focal length f₂ of the fθ lens 14 soas to satisfy the above-mentioned formulas. Thus, it is possible toprovide a scanning optical system in which the changes in position ofthe image points formed by both lenses 12 and 14 are small with respectto the change in environmental temperature.

In the third embodiment shown in FIG. 3, it is assumed that thechromatic correction of the condenser lens 12 is completely corrected.However, it is possible to further effectively compensate the condenserlens with respect to temperature by suitably setting the chromaticaberration in consideration of the shift in wavelength of the light beamfrom the light source 11 caused by the change in temperature.

The scanning optical system of the present invention is not limited tothat in the third embodiment mentioned above, but can be changed invarious kinds of modifications within the scope of the features of theinvention.

For example, in the third embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the laser beam isused as the light beam emitted from the light source 11, but anotherkind of light beam may be used.

The optical glass is used as the material of the condenser lens 12, buta plastic material for optics can be used.

A scanning optical system in a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention will next be described.

The construction of the scanning optical system in the fourth embodimentof the present invention is approximately similar to that in the thirdembodiment of the present invention. Therefore, the description aboutthe common construction of the scanning optical system is omitted andthe construction of the scanning optical system different from that inthe third embodiment will be mainly described.

For example, the construction of the scanning optical system in thefourth embodiment is similar to that shown in FIG. 3. Therefore, thedescription about this construction will be omitted.

The change A in position of an image point formed by the fθ lens 14caused by thermal expansion or contraction of the connection holdingmember caused by the change in environmental temperature is representedas follows.

    A=-β.sub.1.sup.2 ·β.sub.2.sup.2 ·α·f.sub.1 ·ΔT

This change A is similar to the change A described in theabove-mentioned third embodiment of the present invention. At this time,the above formed image point is moved on the side of the fθ lens 14 inaccordance with the increase in temperature.

The next description relates to the change in position of the formedimage point in the vicinity of the scanned face 18 which is caused bythe changes in shape and optical characteristic of the fθ lens 14 causedby the change in temperature.

The coefficient of linear expansion of an optical material of the fθlens 14 is set to α'. The rate of change in refractive index of the fθlens 14 with respect to temperature is set to dn/dT. In this case, whenthis lens is deformed in a similar figure, the rate of change in focallength of a single lens with respect to temperature can be generallyrepresented approximately by the following formula. ##EQU20## The changeΔf₂ in focal length of this lens can be therefore represented asfollows. ##EQU21##

Accordingly, similar to the above-mentioned third embodiment, the changeB in position of the formed image point caused by the change intemperature of the fθ lens 14 is provided as follows. ##EQU22##

At this time, the formed image point is moved on the side thereofopposite to the fθ 14 in accordance with the increase in temperature.

Concrete materials used as the connection holding member and the fθ lens14 in the fourth embodiment are similar to those shown in Tables 1 and 2in the first embodiment.

Tables 13 and 14 respectively show the values of the changes A and B andthe ratios A/ΔT and B/ΔT with respect to the respective materials whenf₂ =200 mm, β₂ =0.2, and the variation width of the environmentaltemperature ΔT=50 [K.].

In this case, f₁ =6 and β₁ =-100 are set with respect to the materialsof the connection holding member from number 1 to number 4. Further, f₁=12 and β₁ =-50 are set with respect to the materials of the connectionholding member from number 5 to number 8.

                  TABLE 13                                                        ______________________________________                                        No.   material    A/ΔT [mm/K]                                                                           A[mm]                                         ______________________________________                                        1     aluminum    -0.0552       -2.76                                         2     brass       -0.0432˜-0.0552                                                                        -2.16˜-2.76                            3     stainless steel                                                                           -0.0394       -1.97                                         4     iron        -0.0288       -1.44                                         5     PC (including                                                                             -0.036˜-0.066                                                                         -1.8˜-3.3                                     glass fiber)                                                            6     BMC (including                                                                            -0.024˜-0.06                                                                          -1.2˜-3.0                                     glass fiber)                                                            7     PPS (including                                                                            -0.024˜-0.054                                                                         -1.2˜-2.7                                     glass fiber)                                                            8     modified PP.sup.--O                                                                       -0.036˜-0.066                                                                         -1.8˜-3.3                                     (including glass                                                              fiber)                                                                  ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 14                                                        ______________________________________                                        No.   material        B/ΔT [mm/K]                                                                         B[mm]                                       ______________________________________                                        1'    PC (polycarbonate)                                                                            0.0292˜0.0404                                                                       1.46˜2.02                             2'    PMMA (acrylic resin)                                                                          0.0367˜0.0368                                                                       1.51˜1.84                             3'    PS (polystyrene)                                                                              0.0367˜0.0411                                                                       1.84˜2.06                             ______________________________________                                    

Table 15 shows the values of the change A+B in position of the imagepoint formed by the fθ lens 14 in a combination of the respectivematerials of the connection holding material and the fθ lens 14 when theenvironmental temperature is changed.

                  TABLE 15                                                        ______________________________________                                        material                                                                      No. of                                                                        holding material No. of fθ lens                                         member  1'          2'           3'                                           ______________________________________                                        1        -1.3˜-0.74                                                                          -1.25˜-0.92                                                                         -0.92˜-0.7                             2        -1.3˜-0.14                                                                          -1.25˜-0.32                                                                         -0.92˜-0.1                             3       -0.51˜0.05                                                                           -0.46˜-0.13                                                                         -0.13˜0.09                             4        0.02˜0.58                                                                           0.07˜0.4                                                                              0.4˜0.62                             5       -1.84˜0.22                                                                          -1.79˜0.04                                                                           -1.46˜0.26                             6       -1.54˜0.82                                                                          -1.49˜0.64                                                                           -1.16˜0.86                             7       -1.24˜0.82                                                                          -1.19˜0.64                                                                           -0.86˜0.86                             8       -1.84˜0.22                                                                          -1.79˜0.04                                                                           -1.46˜0.26                             ______________________________________                                    

From the above Table 15, it should be understood that the absolute value|A+B| can be set to be smaller than the absolute value |A| or |B|.

The next description relates to the change in position of the formedimage point in the vicinity of the scanned face 18 caused by the shiftin emission wavelength of the light source 11 caused by the change intemperature.

The shift in wavelength of the light beam emitted from the light source11 with respect to the change in temperature is set to dλ/dT. Thechromatic aberration of the condenser lens 12 on the optical axisthereof is set to df₁ /dλ. In this case, the change Δf₁ in focal lengthf₁ of the condenser lens 12 can be represented as follows. ##EQU23##

On the other hand, if f₁ is changed to f₁ +Δf₁ and Δf₁ <<f₁ is set, f₁is changed to f₁ ' as follows.

    f.sub.1 →f.sub.1 '=f.sub.1 ·Δf.sub.1

Therefore, the distances S₁ ', S₂ and S₂ ' are changed as follows.

    S.sub.1 '=S.sub.10 '→S.sub.10 '+β.sub.1.sup.2 ·Δf.sub.1

    S.sub.2 =S.sub.20 →S.sub.20 +β.sub.1.sup.2 ·Δf.sub.1

    S.sub.2 '=S.sub.20 '→S.sub.20 '+β.sub.1.sup.2 ·β.sub.2.sup.2 ·Δf.sub.1

Accordingly, the change A' in position of the formed image point causedby the shift dλ/dT in wavelength of the light beam from the light source11 with respect to the change in temperature is represented as followsfrom the above formulas. ##EQU24##

At this time, the formed image point is moved on the side thereofopposite to the fθ lens 14 in accordance with the increase intemperature.

As mentioned above, the change A in position of the formed image pointis caused by the thermal expansion of the connection holding member. Thechange A' in position of the formed image point is caused by the shiftin wavelength of the light beam from the light source 11 and thechromatic aberration of the condenser lens 12 on the optical axisthereof. The change B in position of the formed image point is caused bythe changes in shape and optical characteristic of the fθ lens 14. Thetotal change (A+A') of the changes A and A' and the change B aregenerally caused such that the total change (A+A') is canceled by thechange B.

Therefore, when a ratio of absolute values of the changes (A+A') and Bis set to a value close to "1", it is possible to almost completelycancel the change in position of the formed image point in the vicinityof the scanned face caused by the change in environmental temperature.

The change in position of the formed image point caused by the change inenvironmental temperature can be reduced by setting the values of therespective changes (A+A') and B as shown in the following inequalityeven when the ratio of absolute values of the changes (A+A') and B isnot equal to "1". ##EQU25##

In this case, when the ratio -(A+A')/B in the above inequality is lessthan a lower limit value thereof, it is insufficient to correct thechange in temperature of the fθ lens 14. In contrast to this, when thisratio in the inequality exceeds an upper limit value thereof, the changein temperature of the fθ 14 is excessively corrected.

It is next considered that the change A' in position of the formed imagepoint caused by the chromatic aberration of the condenser lens 12 andthe shift in wavelength of the light beam from the light source 11caused by the change in temperature is included in the change A+A'+B inposition of the entire optical system to set this change A+A'+B to besmaller than the above-mentioned change A+B.

When it is assumed that a semiconductor laser is used as the lightsource 11, the shift in wavelength of the light beam from this lightsource with respect to the change in temperature is generally providedas follows.

    dλ/dT=0.25(nm/K)

Accordingly, when f₂ =200 mm and β₂ =0.2, the change A' is provided asfollows. ##EQU26##

When the variation width of temperature ΔT is assumed to be 50 [K], thechange A' is provided as follows. ##EQU27##

Therefore, it is possible to reduce the value of the above change A+A'+Bby setting the value df₁ /dλ to a suitable value so that the ratio-(A+A')/B approaches "1".

Table 16 shows the suitable chromatic aberration df₁ /dλ and the changeA' with respect to a combination of the respective materials. Table 17shows the change A+A'+B and the ratio -(A+A')/B shown by parentheses inthis combination.

                                      TABLE 16                                    __________________________________________________________________________            material No. of fθ lens                                                 1'        2'       3'                                                 Material No.                                                                          item                                                                  of holding                                                                            df.sub.1 /dλ                                                                     df.sub.1 /dλ                                                                    df.sub.1 /dλ                                member  [μm/nm]                                                                         A'   [μm/nm]                                                                         A'  [μm/nm]                                                                         A'                                            __________________________________________________________________________    1       0.57 1.02 0.61 1.09                                                                              0.45 0.81                                          2       0.4  0.72 0.44 0.79                                                                              0.28 0.51                                          3       0.13 0.23 0.17 0.3 0.01 0.02                                          4       -0.17                                                                              -0.3 -0.13                                                                              -0.23                                                                             -0.28                                                                              -0.51                                         5       1.8  0.81 1.96 0.88                                                                              1.33 0.6                                           6       0.8  0.36 0.96 0.43                                                                              0.33 0.15                                          7       0.47 0.21 0.62 0.28                                                                              0.0  0.0                                           8       1.8  0.81 1.96 0.88                                                                              1.33 0.6                                           __________________________________________________________________________

                  TABLE 17                                                        ______________________________________                                        material No.                                                                  of holding                                                                             material No. of fθ lens                                        member   1'          2'          3'                                           ______________________________________                                        1        -0.28˜0.28                                                                          -0.16˜0.17                                                                          -0.11˜0.11                                       (0.86˜1.19)                                                                         (0.91˜1.11)                                                                         (0.95˜1.06)                           2        -0.58˜0.58                                                                          -0.46˜0.47                                                                          -0.41˜0.41                                       (0.71˜1.4)                                                                          (0.74˜1.3)                                                                           (0.8˜1.22)                           3        -0.28˜0.28                                                                          -0.16˜0.17                                                                          -0.11˜0.11                                       (0.86˜1.19)                                                                         (0.91˜1.11)                                                                         (0.95˜1.06)                           4        -0.28˜0.28                                                                          -0.16˜0.17                                                                          -0.11˜0.11                                       (0.86˜1.19)                                                                         (0.91˜1.11)                                                                         (0.95˜1.06)                           5        -1.03˜1.03                                                                          -0.91˜0.92                                                                          -0.86˜0.86                                       (0.49˜1.71)                                                                         (0.5˜1.6)                                                                           (0.58˜1.47)                           6        -1.18˜1.18                                                                          -1.06˜1.07                                                                          -1.01˜1.01                                       (0.42˜1.81)                                                                         (0.42˜1.7)                                                                          (0.51˜1.55)                           7        -1.03˜1.03                                                                          -0.91˜0.92                                                                          -0.86˜0.86                                       (0.49˜1.71)                                                                         (0.5˜1.6)                                                                           (0.58˜1.47)                           8        -1.03˜1.03                                                                          -0.91˜0.92                                                                          -0.86˜0.86                                       (0.49˜1.71)                                                                         (0.5˜1.6)                                                                           (0.58˜1.47)                           ______________________________________                                    

As shown in Table 17, the total change A+A'+B in position of the formedimage point can be extremely reduced by providing the above-mentionedsuitable chromatic aberration for the condenser lens 12.

In the Table 17, each of the total change A+A'+B and the ratio -(A+A')/Bhas a certain width since each of the characteristic values α and dn/dTof the respective materials has a certain width provided by using ageneral numeric value.

Accordingly, when these characteristic values are definitely determined,it is possible to make a more accurate design for temperaturecompensation.

For example, when the condenser lens 12 is constructed by one group oftwo lenses composed of negative and positive lenses arranged from theside of the light source 11, the focal length of the positive lens isset to f₃ and its Abbe number is set to ν₃. Further, the focal length ofthe negative lens is set to f₄ and its Abbe number is set to ν₄. In thiscase, to provide the suitable chromatic aberration for the condenserlens 12, the following value, ##EQU28## is set to a value correspondingto this suitable chromatic aberration. The condenser lens can beconstructed by e.g., two groups of four lenses when no condition for thepredetermined chromatic aberration is obtained in the case of one groupof two lenses.

As mentioned above, in the scanning optical system in the fourthembodiment of the present invention, the suitable chromatic aberrationis provided for the condenser lens 12. Further, the material of theconnection holding member and the plastic material for optics of the fθlens 14 are suitably provided in combination with the respective valuesf₁, f₂, df₁ /dλ, β₁ and β₂ mentioned above. Otherwise, the material ofthe connection holding member and the plastic material of the fθ lens 14are suitably selected in accordance with the respective values f₁, f₂,df₁ /dλ, β₁ and β₂. Thus, the total change in position of the formedimage point in the vicinity of the scanned face 18 is reduced so thatthe scanning optical system withstanding the change in environmentaltemperature can be provided.

Further, in the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the light beamconverged by the condenser lens 12 is further converged by the fθ lens14 and the scanned face 18 is arranged in the vicinity of a convergentpoint of the light beam, thereby greatly improving field curvature onthe scanned face 18.

The scanning optical system of the present invention is not limited tothat in the fourth embodiment mentioned above, but can be changed invarious kinds of modifications within the scope of the features of theinvention.

As mentioned above, when the material of the lens for optical scanningin the scanning optical system is made of plastic, the curvature of aface of this lens and the thickness thereof are greatly changed by thechange in environment, especially, the change in temperature. Therefore,the focal length of the lens for optical scanning is changed and theconvergent point of the light beam transmitted from this lens is notformed on the scanned face. Accordingly, the diameter of the beam spoton the scanned face is not set to a suitable value so that the qualityof the image is greatly reduced.

Such problems can be solved as follows in accordance with the firstembodiment of the present invention. Namely, in the first embodiment,the coefficient α of linear expansion of the connection holding member,the focal length f₁ of the condenser lens, the coefficient α' of linearexpansion of the fθ lens, the focal length f₂ of the fθ lens. Therefractive index n thereof, and the change dn/dT in refractive indexwith respect to the change in temperature are set to satisfy a specifiedcorrelation, i.e., the following conditional inequality. ##EQU29## Thus,it is possible to suitably reduce the various kinds of changes caused bythe change in temperature. Therefore, the diameter of the beam spot onthe scanned face can be set to be constant so that it is possible togreatly improve the quality of an image finally obtained.

Further, when the scanning optical system in this first embodiment isapplied to a reading device, a stable reading operation can beperformed. When the scanning optical system in the first embodiment isapplied to a laser measuring device, it is possible to perform ameasuring operation with less error. The above advantages can be alsoobtained when the scanning optical system in the first embodiment isapplied to all various kinds of equipments using the lens for opticalscanning.

In the second embodiment of the present invention, it is generallypossible to extremely reduce the change in focal length of the lens foroptical scanning and the change in distance between the light source andthe condenser lens caused by the change in environmental temperature,and reduce the above change in position of the formed image point causedby the shift in emission wavelength of the laser diode. Thus, the lensfor optical scanning made of plastic can be practically used and it ispossible to provide a scanning optical system cheaply manufactured andwithstanding the change in environmental temperature and having a highperformance.

In the third embodiment of the present invention, the change in focallength of the lens for optical scanning caused by the change inenvironmental temperature can be suitably canceled by the change indistance between the light source and the condenser lens. Thus, thechange in position of the formed image point can be extremely reduced sothat it is possible to practically use the lens for optical scanningmade of plastic. Further, it is possible to provide a scanning opticalsystem cheaply manufactured and withstanding the change in environmentaltemperature and having a high performance.

In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, it is generallypossible to extremely reduce the change in focal length of the lens foroptical scanning and the change in distance between the light source andthe condenser lens caused by the change in environmental temperature,and reduce the above change in position of the formed image point causedby the shift in emission wavelength of the light source. Thus, it ispossible to practically use the lens for optical scanning made ofplastic. Further, it is possible to provide a scanning optical systemcheaply manufactured and withstanding the change in environmentaltemperature and having a high performance.

Many widely different embodiments of the present invention may beconstructed without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. It should be understood that the present invention is notlimited to the specific embodiments described in the specification,except as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A scanning optical system comprising:a lightsource for emitting a light beam; a condenser lens for changing thelight beam from the light source to an approximately parallel lightbeam; a connection holding member for supporting the light source andthe condenser lens; a deflector for deflecting the approximatelyparallel light beam transmitted from said condenser lens at anequiangular velocity; and a lens for optical scanning for scanning ascanned face at an approximately equal speed while converging the lightbeam deflected by the deflector and forming an image in the shape of aspot on the scanned face, said lens for optical scanning being formed bya plastic material for optics; said scanning optical system beingconstructed such that a coefficient α of linear expansion of saidconnection holding member, a focal length f₁ of said condenser lens,chromatic aberration df₁ /dλ of the condenser lens on an optical axisthereof, a focal length f₂, a refractive index n and a coefficient α' oflinear expansion of said lens for optical scanning, a change dn/dT inrefractive index of said lens for optical scanning with respect to achange in environmental temperature, and a shift dλ/dT in wavelength ofthe light beam emitted from said light source with respect to the changein temperature satisfy the following condition: ##EQU30##
 2. A scanningoptical system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a material of theconnection holding member and the plastic material for opticsconstituting the lens for optical scanning are suitably selected inaccordance with respective values of the focal length f₁ of thecondenser lens, the focal length f₂ of the lens for optical scanning andthe chromatic aberration df₁ /dλ of the condenser lens on the opticalaxis thereof.
 3. A scanning optical system as claimed in claim 1,wherein in a case where the value of said chromatic aberration df₁ /dλis nearly equal to zero, said scanning optical system is constructedsuch that a coefficient α of linear expansion of said connection holdingmember, a focal length f₁ of said condenser lens, a focal length f₂, arefractive index n and a coefficient α' of linear expansion of said lensfor optical scanning, and a change dn/dT in refractive index of saidlens for optical scanning with respect to the change in environmentaltemperature satisfy the following condition: ##EQU31##
 4. A scanningoptical system as claimed in claim 3, wherein a material of theconnection holding member and the plastic material for opticsconstituting the lens for optical scanning are suitably selected inaccordance with values of the focal length f₁ of the condenser lens andthe focal length f₂ of the lens for optical scanning.